Tuesday, December 02, 2014

A Rustic Wreath from the Roadside

This wild, rustic wreath is exactly what I was hoping for this year for the front door. And I made it for $0.

I already had a wire frame and the floral wire. The wire was a continuous roll and was 22 gauge.

The first place I went to collect my free greenery was Home Depot. I asked the guy in the Christmas tree tent if they had any broken branches they were throwing away, and he gave me all he had. I may have to go back for more in a couple days!

Next I called my friend Sarah because I knew she had a HUGE rosemary bush in her front yard. She said I could cut all I wanted. And I did.

Then on the way home I passed a big wild part of my neighborhood--the one my kids and husband explored one day and found a tent where someone might have been living (yikes!). I didn't go back there. But near the road were several juniper trees, some cool twisty vines, some wild-looking black and orange-ish sticks, and some glossy green leaves that I didn't recognize.

Finally at home I cut some pieces from our holly tree, full of red berries.

I set it all out on the table in a huge messy pile.

Then, holding the wreath base in my left hand, I used the right hand to cut, arrange, and wire. {I don't have any pictures of this stage...because I was making a wreath.} Each piece of greenery I added was about 12 inches long. Layer the sprigs thickly, adding them one at a time and wrapping the wire around the middle of each piece. Continue in a pattern. Cut, add, wrap. Cut, add, wrap. If you have a nice long spool of wire, you can do the entire wreath with a continuous piece.

Aim the tips of the greenery out from the wreath, and point a few of them in for a wild, messy look. I love that!

Remember to add some bare sticks every once in a while if you have them.

At the end, carefully tuck the ends under the greenery you started with. Add more wire and tie off. Be careful when wiring to not smash your sprigs with the wire. Ease it in and keep everything fluffy.

When you're done, hang it up as it is, or add a ribbon or other decoration. These vintage ornaments are the real thing, and I know they'll probably end up smashed, but I love how they look, and I have lots more.

Here's Eli (18 mos) photo bombing while I was trying to get a straight-on shot. He can't resist a camera.

Comments

This wild, rustic wreath is exactly what I was hoping for this year for the front door. And I made it for $0.

I already had a wire frame and the floral wire. The wire was a continuous roll and was 22 gauge.

The first place I went to collect my free greenery was Home Depot. I asked the guy in the Christmas tree tent if they had any broken branches they were throwing away, and he gave me all he had. I may have to go back for more in a couple days!

Next I called my friend Sarah because I knew she had a HUGE rosemary bush in her front yard. She said I could cut all I wanted. And I did.

Then on the way home I passed a big wild part of my neighborhood--the one my kids and husband explored one day and found a tent where someone might have been living (yikes!). I didn't go back there. But near the road were several juniper trees, some cool twisty vines, some wild-looking black and orange-ish sticks, and some glossy green leaves that I didn't recognize.

Finally at home I cut some pieces from our holly tree, full of red berries.

I set it all out on the table in a huge messy pile.

Then, holding the wreath base in my left hand, I used the right hand to cut, arrange, and wire. {I don't have any pictures of this stage...because I was making a wreath.} Each piece of greenery I added was about 12 inches long. Layer the sprigs thickly, adding them one at a time and wrapping the wire around the middle of each piece. Continue in a pattern. Cut, add, wrap. Cut, add, wrap. If you have a nice long spool of wire, you can do the entire wreath with a continuous piece.

Aim the tips of the greenery out from the wreath, and point a few of them in for a wild, messy look. I love that!

Remember to add some bare sticks every once in a while if you have them.

At the end, carefully tuck the ends under the greenery you started with. Add more wire and tie off. Be careful when wiring to not smash your sprigs with the wire. Ease it in and keep everything fluffy.

When you're done, hang it up as it is, or add a ribbon or other decoration. These vintage ornaments are the real thing, and I know they'll probably end up smashed, but I love how they look, and I have lots more.

Here's Eli (18 mos) photo bombing while I was trying to get a straight-on shot. He can't resist a camera.

Hello! I'm so glad you found me! I believe in living life with purpose and creativity, and I want to inspire you to do the same with project tutorials, craft ideas, and funny stories of real family life. Follow me as I strive to find the joy in every day!